Kounde the unlikely hero! Barcelona win Copa del Rey Clasico

Mbappe heroics in vain as Diaz error costs Real in Clasico final

Fit-again Kelly key to Arsenal's hopes of UWCL comeback

The best Didier Drogba interview you'll ever read

How Newcastle beat Madrid & Barca to sign Malaga wonderkid

Editors' Picks

Aluko faces axe after leaving bosses 'angry' by accusing Wright

Dorgu's name change! Man Utd wing-back makes special request

Rodri as manager? Pep allowing Ballon d'Or winner to coach City

'We had a parade! - Kompany in awkward exchange with German reporter

Real Madrid to boycott Copa del Rey final against Barcelona?

Three in a row! How Wrexham pulled off ANOTHER promotion

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gundogan speaking to ESPN ahead of FA Cup semi</li><li>Hailed team-mate as greatest City star</li><li>De Bruyne leaving with at least 14 major trophies</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He's irreplaceable' - Ilkay Gundogan heaps praise on departing Kevin De Bruyne and hails legendary midfielder as greatest player ever for Man City

FA Cup

Nottingham Forest

Manchester City

<p>The German midfielder was speaking exclusively with ESPN ahead of the Citizens FA Cup semi final tie with Nottingham Forest. When asked about his departing team-mate, the 34-year-old was effusive in his praise, saying the Belgian playmaker is "irreplaceable".</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Gundogan went on to call De Bruyne the best player in the club's history, and sharing a pitch with him has been a "pleasure". De Bruyne has won 14 major trophies in his ten seasons in the east side of Manchester.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Ilkay Gundogan said: "He's irreplaceable. We know that no one will just come and be a replacement for him. Of course it will be covered somehow. The club always does that.</p><p>"What Kev has done for the club is unbelievable. For me personally, in the history of Man City, there is no better player than Kevin De Bruyne. It's been a pleasure for me to share a pitch with him for such a long time.</p><p>"I've had that connection with him off the pitch so it's been a privilege to get to know him and his family."</p>

WHAT ILKAY GUNDOGAN SAID

<p>It's been a disappointing season for the Sky Blues, but they still find themselves in the hunt for another major trophy. De Bruyne will hope to end his career at the club with an FA Cup win, but first the Citizens have to get past an obdurate opponent in Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

'He's irreplaceable' - Ilkay Gundogan heaps praise on departing Kevin De Bruyne and hails legendary midfielder as greatest player ever for Man City | Goal.com

Ilkay Gundogan has heaped praise on his departing teammate Kevin de Bruyne, as the German midfielder described the Belgian as City&apos;s greatest player. 

&apos;He&apos;s irreplaceable&apos; - Ilkay Gundogan heaps praise on departing Kevin De Bruyne and hails legendary midfielder as greatest player ever for Man City

Next Match